At the attainment of 75 years of age and superannuation of the reigning Archbishop, Most Rev Dominic Lumon DD, Archbishop of Imphal, His Holiness Pope Francis has appointed a new Archbishop to lead the Catholic Church in Manipur in the person of Rev Fr Dr Linus Neli.
The announcement was made public in Rome on Saturday, October 7, 2023 at noon local time corresponding to 15.30 hours IST, a release from the Archbishop’s House, Imphal said.
The 66-year-old Archbishop Elect hails from Punanamai village, Senapati District and is a well-respected figure in the church and social circles. He holds a Doctorate in Canon Law (Rome), a Master’s Degree in Human Rights and a Diploma in Jurisprudence (Westminster, London) and is an author of several books and articles in reputed ecclesiastical and international journals, Archbishop’s House said.
Ordained a priest for the Catholic Church in 1984, he has served the church in Manipur at various capacities including being the Vicar General, Chancellor and Parish Priest of several Parishes. He served as an Associate Director, St John’s Medical College, Bangalore, Administrator, Caritas India, Delhi and as Rector of the Regional Theologate at Shillong.
Presently, he is the Parish Priest of Sacred Heart Parish and Principal of Sacred Heart Higher Secondary School, Hundung, Ukhrul District.
The Catholic Church, with a modest presence of about one lakh members in Manipur, is a formidable and significant contributor in the educational, social and healthcare sector in the State. The Archbishop is the head of the Archdiocese and the news of the appointment of yet another local person as the Archbishop to lead the Catholic Church in Manipur comes as happy news to all.
The Archbishop elect will be conferred Episcopal ordination and will take full charge of the Archdiocese of Imphal very soon. Members of the Catholic church in Manipur welcome the news of his appointment with joy.
